Simultaneous multiple layer curing in stereolithography

• Main Authors: SMALLEY; DENNIS R, VORGITCH; THOMAS J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.03.1993
• Subjects: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY; ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OFTHREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVEAGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING,STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A method and apparatus for making an object by stereolithography from layers of a medium solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation by selecting an area element of a first layer of medium. The depth of the medium within the object underlying the area element is determined and compared to the depth to the minimum solidification depth of the medium. The area element is exposed to solidifying synergistic stimulation only if the depth of the medium equals or exceeds the minimum solidification depth. A next layer is created over the first layer without exposing the first layer to solidifying synergistic stimulation, if the depth is less than the minimum solidification depth. The layers may have a thickness selected such that the minimum solidification depth is a integer multiple of the layer thickness.